Faculty, staff and administrators pay tribute to colleagues at UMFK

FORT KENT — More than 50 University of Maine at Fort Kent faculty, staff and administrators paid tribute to their colleagues at the annual UMFK Recognition Night, Friday, March 8.

UMFK employees were honored for reaching “milestone” years of employment at the university. Thirteen people celebrated 10-, 15-, 20- and 25-year anniversaries.

UMFK President Dr. Richard Dumont said the annual event serves to “recognize the years of service so generously given to us by various members of our UMFK family and their extraordinary contributions.”

Lauded for 25 years of service to UMFK were Dr. Roland Burns, professor of English, and Verna Daigle, records technician. In presenting Daigle her plaque, Business Manager Diane Nadeau-Saucier said, “Verna is the backbone of the business office.”

Celebrating their 20th anniversaries were Cecile Daigle, custodian, and Lowell Daigle, associate professor of anthropology and sociology.

Dr. Franklin Grady, professor of psychology and criminal justice, presented Daigle her plaque, noting her support and dedication to UMFK students and her loyalty to the institution and “academic integrity.”

Five employees marked their 15th anniversaries at UMFK: building and grounds maintenance workers Normand Bouchard and Jeffrey Plourde; Gloria Soucy, library assistant; Dr. Eberhard Thiele, professor of environmental studies; and Dr. Steve Selva, professor of biology and environmental studies.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a plaque to Selva by Sharon Zimmer-Boucher, professor of biological sciences. She recounted several humorous anecdotes surrounding Selva’s history at UMFK and of his postgraduate work.

Zimmer-Boucher said, “Steve has done a lot of great things for us and we have had the pleasure of watching as he has gone on to become one the nation’s top experts in lichenology. We are very lucky to have had him with us for 15 years.”

Ten-year plaques went to Dian Burns, director of academic services; Michael Dubois, building and grounds maintenance worker; Claudine Pelletier, Cook; and Jeanita Theriault, accounting supervisor. Nadeau-Saucier called Pelletier “a hard worker” and said, “When you go into the kitchen today and see the skid marks — those are Claudine’s. We are very lucky to have her.”

Verna Daigle presented a plaque to Theriault, saying, “Jeanita is very ambitious and very quick.” She said that during her 10 years at UMFK, Theriault earned a bachelor’s degree in university studies in administration.

Also lauding the workers was Student Senate President Rick Pelletier. “I bring congratulations of behalf of the student body. No one knows better than the students how dedicated you have been to this institution,” he said.

Dumont read greetings from former UMFK presidents Dr. Richard Spath and Dr. Barbara Leondar, and from Charles Noxon, former UMFK professor of geography and education. Bertha Baker of the UMFK Class of 1940 also attended.

The evening ended with traditional fiddle tunes played by Lisa Ornstein, UMFK Acadian Archives (Archives acadiennes) director of folklore and folk life collections. The evening was organized by Nadeau-Saucier.